30 Days of Thanks - Day 18 - The Little Things

Someone holds a door for you instead of letting it slam in your face. Someone helps you pick up that package or paper or whatever you dropped so that you do not have to try and balance the rest of the stack while you get it [1]. Someone refrains from taking the last cookie or soda or appetizer or whatever so that you can try it. Someone waits so that you can pass through even though they had the right of way. Someone picks up or cleans up whatever was lying around - even though it was not their responsibility. Someone calls and says, "Hey, let's go to lunch - my treat." Someone picks something up at the store for you without being asked. You wake up to a sunny day after several rainy messes.

Love is the little things. Thank you!

[1] This has a high failure rate.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 8 - Election

No, I am not referring to the selection of blithering idiots by other blithering idiots that is going on today; I refer instead to the election of us blithering idiots by a King who deserves much better - the election to salvation.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:29-39 (NRSV)

I am thankful that this is not an election of exclusion, but one of inclusion - we become family. It is an election motivated by compassion - He recognized our plight. It is an election to salvage and restore. It is an election that will end with things being set right. Thank You.

Rabbit Hole Verses - Judges 6:13-14

Gideon answered him, "But sir, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our ancestors recounted to us, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has cast us off, and given us into the hand of Midian."

Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian; I hereby commission you."

- Judges 6:13-14 (NRSV)

Our verses above [1] show us a young Gideon venting to someone he does not at first realize is a messenger of God and then God seemingly taking his vents as volunteering. Doesn't seem very fair, does it [2]? However, when we analyze what's going on here, we then see that Gideon is essentially asking the common question of today:

"If God's so good, then why does He let ____________ happen?"

First of all, if you are living in the United States and haven't heard a question like this yet, then I'd like to welcome you out of your hermitage and, furthermore, to the Internet. Second of all, if you are living in the United States - or if you are a human in general - and haven't said something like this yet, then you've led an extremely sheltered life and I'd like to welcome you to the Internet with a warning that you are probably soon to feel much like Siddhartha Gautama when he first left the palace.

Now, onto our analysis. Gideon is doing what we all do at some point or another - looking at his present situation and seeing a severe disconnect from what he is told has been promised or has happened before. Gideon has a clear understanding of the problem, but a poor understanding of the needed solution.

When I hear questions like that above, it is usually coming from someone who is either trying to justify their disbelief or is looking for an excuse to disbelieve so that they can justify their other behavior. Essentially, they want an easy way out of actually having to think and don't really care about the problem that fills the blank. Unfortunately, the issues that are brought up are real but often ignored by these and others who want to make it someone else's problem [3]. They are willing to complain but not to do anything beyond that. However, there are some who actually care and to those, I address this post.

Many solid Christians also have these questions, but keep them to themselves for fear of either being labeled as faithless complainers or having to admit that they don't know how to handle the situation on their own [4]. To you, I also address this post.

There are others in the body who have these questions and may even voice them considerably, but have no desire to actually do anything to help. They consider themselves to be helping merely by pointing out what they perceive to be problems - perhaps even seeing themselves somewhat as prophets, leading the church in the way they think it should go [5]. To you, well . . . hopefully you will get something out of this.

Anyway, we all have these questions like Gideon. We recognize that something isn't right in our world and needs to be fixed [6]. We voice these concerns and what does God do? He makes it our problem. Or does He make us its solution?

Cue the turn-around music.

When we take this verse into consideration with others like Ephesians 2:10, which point to us as having been created to fulfill what was a foreseen need, we suddenly find our complaint to be an agreement. Something is wrong and the fact that I recognize it suggests that God wants me to be part of the solution. Look back at what God said to Gideon:

"Go in this might of yours . . . I hereby commission you."

God sees something in Gideon (concern, caring, whatever you want to call it) that gives him might that will ultimately be used to fix the situation. He had already prepared Gideon for a time such as this, a time when He would use the boy to accomplish something great beyond the boy's ordinary capacity.

When you are moved by an injustice, recognize that God is also moved (check out His Word for more information about it). Recognize that He may very well be moving you and preparing you to correct it. Don't use it as a cop out to turn away!

I once was listening to a friend of a missionary (who is also now a missionary) [7], who was talking about a terrible time through which his friend had gone. Long story short, he could probably swap lamentations with Job. When asked by someone if he felt like God had failed him, he replied, "No, someone failed God!" That statement has stuck with me.

Disaster and suffering are going to happen, but it's what gets done with them that matters. We were put in charge of this world and we drop the ball time and again. However, we were made with good works in mind. Furthermore, we are where Heaven is to meet Earth. We can whine about it or we can go in the power that He gives us and fix it.

What seems like a long time ago now, God put a special urging of this type on my own heart. He opened my eyes to the path of the Spirit of adoption and the pure and undefiled religion for which I was made. When I watch things like Hotel Rwanda or see things in the news, my heart is moved for the fatherless. I know there are other issues surrounding these tragedies, but God has called me to the fatherless. I also know that other Christians have not been called in such a way as I have - my call being more to the midst of it. I pray for other workers for these fields, but I also respect the workers of other fields [8]. We will solve these problems and others in our parts. We are all called, so we must be attentive to the promptings. We are all called, so we must not try to buck the responsibility off on God - He's already doing His part, and through us!

Let's not ask, "If God's so good, then why does He let ____________ happen?" Instead let us ask, "God, You're so good, what can we do about ____________?" Be ready to follow His guidance. We are all called, so we must not fail God.

[1] Please read Gideon's whole story for context.

[2] Although we shouldn't go arguing fairness with God as it's never worked for anyone else. Ultimately our definition of 'fair' tends to be lacking in both knowledge and wisdom, falling into selfish desire and weak attempts at self-justification. We're really no better than Satan in that regard, but that's a blog for another day.

[3] One common example of this is the genocide that goes on in Africa. I recently finished Hotel Rwanda with a good friend of mine. I say finished because I had started watching it at another friend's a long time ago but had to leave half-way through to get to a class. Sadly, that was not just a one-time ordeal and terrors like that have been perpetrated in many areas of the world throughout time (see Schindler's List sometime). I've noticed that a lot of people talk about this but very few really do anything - and that's even after I remove those who are called to serve elsewhere.

[4] The last three words being key.

[5] These types are especially dangerous when they do involve themselves. They typically make everyone else's lives a living heck while they continue on their warpath to renovate. They have forceful personalities and tend to be expert manipulators. Although they probably won't recognize themselves as they read this blog (everyone appreciates all of their hard work, right?).

[6] Although, sometimes, it's our perspective that needs adjusting, there is still a problem to be addressed. Also, I recently read something that pointed to this notice of a lack of what we will call justice as an argument for the existence of God. The argument is weak. Although I don't have time to deal with it here (maybe Kyle will), I will simply ask you to avoid using it - you probably won't once you think about it anyway.

[7] I know, I know. A lot of missionaries tell some great stories that are delightfully unconfirmable that people get all jived up about. This is not one of those stories. Mostly because I don't remember the details, but more so because the details really weren't important - it was the thought.

[8] This is a point that many miss, especially those in [5].

My Favorite 'Twilight' Involves No Prissy Vampires (Or, How Rod Serling Taught Me About Life)

Last weekend I discovered that Netflix has started to carry the entire original series of The Twilight Zone. I've loved the ethic dramas of Rod Serling and others for years. These stories have motivated my interests in stories and films of philosophical depth. These stories also have a heavy connection with my childhood. Because of this, I have been on a nostalgia kick while analyzing the roots of my psychological development.

I don't remember exactly when I first watched an episode, but I know I was around six- or seven-years-old. I would get up past bedtime to watch it and keep the set volume low so as to avoid confrontations with mom or dad. The stories Rod Serling presented would terrify and inspire me. Even as a child, I began to connect the terrors of the show with the realities of the world around me. I began to understand that the fears and desires of men - as well as their best intentions - could be their undoing or lead to great evil.

A few episodes still stick in my mind all of these years since.

A Nice Place to Visit taught me that Hell is getting everything you ever wanted, thus removing any sense of adventure - and any reason to live.

The Little People taught me to tread lightly in dealing with others as, although I may be above them, someone else is ultimately above me. This also gave me some hope when dealing with bullies in the many years to come. In addition, I learned never to think too highly of myself.

Nothing in the Dark taught me that I had nothing to fear from death as "What you feared would come like an explosion is like a whisper. What you thought was the end is the beginning."

The Obsolete Man taught me the value of ideas and of every individual. It taught me that even my death should be used to promote truth. As I grew older and watched it again, Romney Wordsworth's words further impressed on me the importance of actually knowing of God for myself. "You cannot erase God with an edict!" This may have inevitably triggered the Grand Search that led me to Christ.

It's a Good Life, that iconic episode, frightened me to no end. I learned that any power I may be equipped with should be used for the benefit of others and not to control them. The torment of Anthony's family and neighbors taught me that personal control of everything was not something to be desired, nor was the suffering of others just because they make you unhappy or hurt.

The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street (my favorite episode - the first I saw and often cited as the greatest episode of the series) taught me just how dangerous fear and ignorance could be amongst people. Fear leads to faulty conclusions and false knowledge. I remember identifying with the character of Tommy who, regrettably, provides the 'silly' concept that fuels the fear of the entire group and later has that fear directed toward him.

Rabbit Hole Verses - I Peter 3:8

"Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind." - I Peter 3:8 (NRSV)

I have a habit during service of turning to the passage being discussed, catching sight of a verse, and mentally getting lost in it for the next few hours. Thankfully, I have a multi-threaded mind so I can continue to follow along in the service and conduct myself in other functions. Usually I just mull these over and then move on without recording the instance. Today's verse I feel compelled (and have time) to analyze and write about. Let's break it down:

First of all: "Finally"

It may be odd to begin at an end but it is important to note that this verse comes at the climax of a guide that began as an encouragement to those who, having not seen, still believed during the trials that they continued to suffer. "Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." - I Peter 1:8-9 (NRSV).

Peter instructs his audience to recall the prophets of old who, though made aware that this promise was to culminate at a latter time, still rejoiced in their labor toward that glorious day (10-12). From this foundation, he puts forth that our minds must be prepared for action so that we may live in the promise and not return to ignorance and its fruits (13-16). Peter also explains that we are capable of living in this way because Christ picked up our tab (17-21). With this he introduces his major topic and the secret to enduring this time of trial before the glory is revealed: "Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart." - I Peter 1:22 (NRSV)

And there it is: the secret is love. Peter is writing to let us know that, because of Christ's sacrifice, we actually have an excuse (and an ability) to love each other and that this is what will help us to continue. Our souls have been purified through obedience and that which will sustain this state within us is love, is community.

Peter gives instruction on cleaning inner-house (2:1), on developing a positive self- and communal-image (2-10), in dealing with living in an antagonistic society (11-25), and in preserving peace in the union of marriage (3:1-7). But then we come to "Finally . . ."

Second of all: "all of you"

This is where Peter signifies that this is not optional. It's not a "well that works for you, but I've got my own way" type of thing. This isn't merely relative to a specific time or place or sub-group, this is a universal command to those who would claim Christ.

Third (and, technically, fourth) of all: "have unity of spirit, sympathy"

Sympathy means (from dictionary.com):

1.harmony of or agreement in feeling, as between persons or on the part of one person with respect to another.

2.the harmony of feeling naturally existing between persons of like tastes or opinion or of congenial dispositions.

3.the fact or power of sharing the feelings of another, esp. insorrow or trouble; fellow feeling, compassion, or commiseration.

4.sympathies: a.feelings or impulses of compassion. b.feelings of favor, support, or loyalty: It's hard to tell where your sympathies lie.

Here Peter calls us to truly be a community - feeling with one another and sharing in each other's struggles. He calls us to be considerate, to be compassionate, and to be loyal to one another. There is a charge here to think; a charge to put my mind to serving the man to my left and the man to my right because they are more than just loose associations - they are a part of who I am. Consider: when you get a cut on your foot, you adjust the way your body operates to help that foot to heal. Some parts carry more weight, some parts move into action to apply aid. Your entire body is affected. If this didn't happen, that cut would continually rip open, becoming deeper and more severe each time. The cut would eventually become infected and either be lost or act as a gateway to a greater disaster. If the body doesn't choose to act, it will be forced to act. In the same way, we - as a body - must choose to be compassionate to the other parts of the body or we will be drug down with them when they fail.

Fifth of all: "love for one another"

This call for mutual love is not merely a weak echo. Love, like faith, is often a word we treat as a simple noun and not as the action verb that it is. This is a call to choose the action of love. A call to remember that our responsibility is to do everything that is in our power (which we have been given in great abundance) to love each other. Although we cannot control the actions of others, we can - and must - control ourselves to strive for peace and, most of all, truth. Love cautions; love corrects. Love is not silent. Love builds up. Love maintains. Love sustains.

Sixth of all: "a tender heart"

Peter calls for awareness - that we should not be blind or deaf or numb to that which afflicts the rest of the body. Again, we must be considerate, compassionate, and loyal that the body may survive and grow. We should not ignore the needs of our greater family be they physical, mental, or spiritual - even needs of discipline.

Seventh of all: "and a humble mind."

You're not perfect. Deal with it and move on. You can be wrong. To survive we must be teachable; willing to take the correction from those of tender heart - those who have felt the suffering we may have even come to ignore. As Solomon passed on to his son, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body." - Proverbs 3:5-8 (NRSV)

And, if you just skimmed through that last verse thinking, "Oh, I've read this before, I know it," then look again. Read it and let it sink in. Take on the humble mind, drinking in deep the beauty and novelty of the passage (and noticing that I didn't cut it after verse six as many are in the habit of doing).

Get lost in the Word and come out with a story to tell.